AN ELECTION AFTERMATH.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12665, 19 January 1912, Page 3

AN ELECTION AFTERMATH.

CHARGES OF BRIBERY AND I CORRUPTION. | THE WAIRAU RESULT DISPUTED MB McCALLUM COURTS ENQUIRY (Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, last night. In accordance with the Act, the petitioners against Mr McCallunr's election I for Wairau advertise the full text of tin i grounds of the petition in the Expres: to-night. The petition is very lengthy, comprising 27 clauses. Summarised, th< grounds of the proceedings are as follows : McCallum is alleged to be guilt} of {bribery in treating and using undue influence in intimidation of electors and other corrupt illegal practices, wherebv an honest, pure, and fair election was not holden, therefore it should be de clared void ; that after the meeting o! electors at Grovetown Mr McCallum announced that his chairman of committef would "shout" ; that they proceeded to an hotel, where Mr McCallum accom panied the electors, and supplied then: with drink and entertainment, paid fot directly or by his agent ; at Picton. Havelock, Marlborough Town, Okaramio. Seddon, and Mirza Mr McCallum pro vided meat, drink, and intoxicating liquors to large numbers of electors for the purpose of influencing their votes: at Grove road, Blenheim, there was a polling place at the grain store, where large quantities of liquor were supplied to the electors, wherewith Mr McCallum was an accessory ; large' quantities of liquor were supplied to the electors at j Seddon. that the agent of Mr McCallum there importuned electors to vote for Mr McCalhwn, and supplied, them with liquor supplied by McCallum ; a number of McCallum's committee gave the electors at Mirza money to buy liquor. Prior to the second ballot McCallum made contracts for tile payment for conveyance of electors to and from the polling booth; that the secretary of McCallum's committee was seen to instruct drivers of such conveyances to. convey electors to the poll to vote for McCallum ; that- »• prominent member of McCalhun's committee stood at the principal booth accosting electors, urging them to vote" for McCallum, thus intimidating electors.- The same thing oc-curi-ed at" another polling place, and that McCallum was guilty of corrupt practice at the first ballot; inasmuch as the total expenses exceeded £200, and that in, the second ballot the total expenses exceeded £550; that McCallum promised, and that the chairman of the committee offered money to the said ( canvasser, to procure votes, and that the promised money was paid after the election. Clauses are also inserted alleging that bets were made by members of McOallum's committee and prominent supporters, thereby influencing the votes of electors. WELLINGTON, this day. Mr McCallum, interviewed by the New Zealand Times, denies the election allegations, and says now that the allegations have^been made he not only courts but insists on the fullest inquiry.